Elvis Dumba

Nyabira,Zvimba- The First Lady Dr Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa has called upon for investment in waste management in order to achieve a cleaner environment.

The First Lady, who is the country`s patron for the environment, was in Nyabira,for the monthly national cleanup day, where she led a waste cleaning exercise and tree planting program.

The First Lady said it remained her desire to see every citizen taking part in clean-up campaigns, for the safety of the general public and wellbeing of the environment.

"I challenge all sectors of our economy to put in place strategies for sustaining this programme through adopting best waste management practices, as we start the new year. Institutions, businesses and individuals can also put additional resources and assist local authorities in maintaining clean environments, as part of their corporate social responsibility duties. If we can`t do it ourselves, no one will do it for us,” she said.

“You will agree with me that waste management has become a national environmental challenge and Mashonaland West in general has not been spared from this menace. Waste continues to accumulate at undesignated places and even in places that have been cleaned before and this has negative impacts on our lives. Such impacts include health hazards, air quality and loss of aesthetic value of our beautiful country,” she said.

 ADVERT

Dr Mnangagwa urged local authorities to take the lead and remain the vanguard of the national cleanup programs, ensuring that their waste management strategies resonate well with the dynamic and fast-changing waste management practices.

   “There is no reason for maintaining strategies which were working when populations and waste streams were low. Our society has changed due to modernization and industrialization hence we now have more urban dwellers and waste streams. It is time to rethink our waste management strategies and establish cost-effective models that are efficient and sustainable. I call upon all citizens to adopt and implement sound waste management strategies taking on board what works best for our different areas.”

Dr Mnangagwa implored upon local authorities,such as Zvimba Rural District Council and various organizations to have their annual waste management plans in place and ready for implementation.

“I therefore urge Zvimba Rural District Council to be proactive in responding to waste management challenges, through construction of appropriate waste disposal facilities at service centers,within their area of jurisdiction.

“On the same note may I also encourage you to put in place mechanisms of promoting recycling initiatives in line with the national discourse,” she said.

Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Mary Mliswa-Chikoka paid tribute to the First Lady for her tireless efforts to protect the environment and maintain cleanliness.

“As Mashonaland West we support the programmes that you always bring to us time and again. You bring culture awareness and hygiene while encouraging us to live in clean environments. Cleanliness and the planting of trees are close to your heart and we shall keep our surroundings smart. I encourage the whole province to value the zero tolerance to litter campaign,” she said.

Deputy Minister for Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi said her ministry is working with areas that are growing into towns and cities, such as Nyabira to remain smart and clean

“We have seen it fit to work with areas like Nyabira,who are experiencing massive growth and expansion and teach one another about protecting the environment through cleanliness and beautification of cities. The trees you have planted here today are the same ones we are using in all towns under the beautification initiative.Nyabira is one of the country`s growing areas, expanding towards Mt Hampden and eventually Harare, therefore it has to be smart." she said

Environmental Management Agency (EMA) director-general Mr Aaron Chigona said they are targeting to plant over 20 million trees, in the town and city beautification program, nationwide: 

ZANU PF Zvimba East Central Committee member Francis Mkwangariwa urged citizens to heed The First Lady`s call to keep the environment clean.

"As Zimbabweans we need to rally behind  calls from The First Lady, Dr Auxilia Mnangagwa for a cleaner environment through ensuring that we start from our own homes in cleanliness and invest in best waste management practices, especially coming up with waste recycling initiatives as we need to save on land which is being taken up by dumpsites, with some of them being put on undesignated areas as waste continues accumulating from homes and industries," he said in an interview on the sidelines of the national clean up event.